---
title: Emoji and emoticons
---

import {Steps, TabItem, Tabs} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

import FlattenedSteps from "../../components/FlattenedSteps.astro";
import NavigationSteps from "../../components/NavigationSteps.astro";
import ZulipNote from "../../components/ZulipNote.astro";
import ZulipTip from "../../components/ZulipTip.astro";
import EmojiAndEmoticonsExamples from "../include/_EmojiAndEmoticonsExamples.mdx";
import EmojiAndEmoticonsIntro from "../include/_EmojiAndEmoticonsIntro.mdx";
import StartComposing from "../include/_StartComposing.mdx";

import SmileBiggerIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/smile-bigger";

<EmojiAndEmoticonsIntro />

<ZulipTip>
  You can also quickly respond to a message by using [emoji reactions](/help/emoji-reactions).
</ZulipTip>

## Use an emoji in your message

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Via compose box button">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <StartComposing />

      1. Click the **smiley face** (<SmileBiggerIcon />)
         icon at the bottom of the compose box.
      1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
         an emoji with your mouse.
    </FlattenedSteps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Via Markdown">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <StartComposing />

      1. Type `:`, followed by a few letters from the emoji name, to see autocomplete
         suggestions. The letters don't have to be at the beginning of the emoji name.
         For example, `:app` will match both `:apple:` and `:pineapple:`.
      1. Type the full emoji name followed by `:`, or select an emoji from the list of
         suggestions.
    </FlattenedSteps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Via paste">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <StartComposing />

      1. Paste an emoji copied from outside of Zulip directly into the compose box.
    </FlattenedSteps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

<ZulipTip>
  You can hover over an emoji in the emoji picker, a message, or an [emoji
  reaction](/help/emoji-reactions) to learn its name.
</ZulipTip>

### Use an emoticon

You can configure Zulip to convert emoticons into emoji, so that, e.g., `:)`
will be displayed as 🙂 .

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/preferences" />

  1. Under **Emoji settings**, select **Convert emoticons before sending**.
</FlattenedSteps>

The list of supported emoticons is available
[here](/help/configure-emoticon-translations).

## Examples

<EmojiAndEmoticonsExamples />

## Use an emoji in a topic name

You can use unicode characters in topic names, including unicode
emoji. Each platform has a different way to enter unicode
emoji. [Custom emoji](/help/custom-emoji) cannot be used in topic
names.

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="macOS">
    <Steps>
      1. [Start a new topic](/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic).
      1. Press <kbd>Command ⌘</kbd> + <kbd>Control</kbd> + <kbd>Space</kbd>
         to open the **Character Viewer**. See the
         [macOS documentation](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-emoji-and-symbols-on-mac-mchlp1560/mac)
         to learn more.
      1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
         an emoji with your mouse.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Windows">
    <Steps>
      1. [Start a new topic](/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic).
      1. Press <kbd>Windows</kbd> + <kbd>.</kbd>
         to open the **emoji keyboard**. See the
         [Windows documentation](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-keyboard-tips-and-tricks-588e0b72-0fff-6d3f-aeee-6e5116097942)
         to learn more.
      1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
         an emoji with your mouse.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Linux">
    <Steps>
      1. [Start a new topic](/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic).
      1. Open the [Characters app for GNOME](https://apps.gnome.org/en/Characters/).
      1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
         an emoji with your mouse.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Chrome">
    <Steps>
      1. [Start a new topic](/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic).
      1. Right-click on the text input box.
      1. Select **Emoji** or **Emoji & Symbols**. You will only see this option if
         supported by your operating system.
      1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
         an emoji with your mouse.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="Via paste">
    <Steps>
      1. [Start a new topic](/help/introduction-to-topics#how-to-start-a-new-topic).
      1. Paste an emoji copied from outside of Zulip directly into the text input box.
    </Steps>

    <ZulipTip>
      [https://emojipedia.org/](https://emojipedia.org/) may be a helpful resource.
    </ZulipTip>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Change your emoji set

Your emoji set determines how you see emoji. It has no effect on the emoji
you send. Zulip emoji are compatible with screen readers and other accessibility tools.

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/preferences" />

  1. Under **Emoji**, select **Google**,
     **Twitter**, or **Plain text** for the emoji theme.
</FlattenedSteps>

## Related articles

* [Add custom emoji](/help/custom-emoji)
* [Emoji reactions](/help/emoji-reactions)
* [Configure emoticon translations](/help/configure-emoticon-translations)
